OLIVIA
After my conversation with Butler Silas, I returned to Waverley's Kingdom, still floating on the thought of Edward proposing—of us finally starting our life together as husband and wife. But in my distracted state, I accidentally bumped into someone.
Dressed in a form-fitting red dress that hugged her curves effortlessly, a sleek leather jacket, and towering stilettos, she carried an air of confidence. Her golden-blonde hair cascaded in waves, and her sharp eyeliner made her eyes even more piercing.
She was stunning.
But more than that—she was unfamiliar.
I had never seen her here before.
Who was she?
"I'm sorry—"
She cut me off with a sharp tone. "Watch where you're going next time, maid."
I blinked, taken aback. "Excuse me? I am not a maid."
She rolled her eyes, tilting her head with arrogance. That's when I noticed it—a fresh hickey on her neck.
Then, my gaze shifted to the jacket draped over her shoulders. My breath hitched as I realized something.
It was Edward's.
I knew it because I was the one who bought it for him—a custom-made piece, one of a kind. He was the only person who owned it.
My mind raced.
Had this bratty she-wolf stolen it from him?
Desperate for an answer, I grabbed her arm just as she turned her back on me.
She whirled around with her eyes blazing. "Do you fucking know how much this jacket costs? Get your filthy hands off it!"
The audacity.
I smirked, releasing her arm. "That jacket costs around a hundred thousand bucks. I would know because I was the one who bought it for Edward Waverley. My mate." I held her gaze, my voice steady, pressing for a reaction. "Now tell me, why are you wearing it? Who are you?"
Instead of answering, she threw her head back and laughed. Then, with a slow, condescending glance from my head to my toes, she sneered. "And what made you think I'd believe you? You're just a maid. There's no way you could afford this. And… Edward's mate?" She scoffed. "You must be hallucinating."
I didn't waste another breath arguing. Instead, I pulled my collar aside and revealed our mate mark.
She faltered, her eyes widening. But to my frustration, the confidence in her demeanor barely wavered.
And then—Edward arrived.
Before I could even speak, the she-wolf immediately wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed herself against his body.
My breath caught.
What shattered me most? Edward didn't even try to push her away.
Confusion engulfed me as I stared at them. "Edward, why does she have your jacket? Do you know her?"
Before he could answer, she pressed herself even closer to him, deliberately letting her chest brush against his arm.
"Ed," she cooed, pouting.
Ed? How close are they, for her to casually give him a nickname?
"Your arrogant mate just slapped me! Three times! She even accused me of stealing your jacket!"
My blood boiled. Fuck that.
"That's a lie! I never—"
Edward cut me off, his jaw tightening. Without hesitation, he pulled me a step away from her.
"She's Monette Hampton," he said firmly. "The sole heiress of the Hampton Clan. She's a childhood friend of mine, and her family has contributed a lot to the Waverley Clan's success, especially when my parents tragically died. I owe them, Olivia. You can't just show attitude or lay your hands on her."
His words landed like a slap. So that's where I stood? Just some reckless, jealous mate embarrassing him in front of an important person?
I swallowed hard and forced a nod.
"Whatever you say, Edward. Still, I didn't do anything to her. She's lying. In fact, she's the one who called me a maid—"
"Enough, Olivia."
"Why is she even here?" I asked otherwise, and for a moment, he seemed unable to say anything. "Why?" I pressed harder.
A few seconds later, Edward sighed. "She's here on vacation."
I blinked. "Vacation? For how long?"
His gaze wavered slightly before he finally answered. "Three months, Olivia. And she specifically requested that I stay by her side most of the time."
My chest tightened. "And you agreed?"
"I didn't have a choice," he said, his tone edged with frustration. "It was her parents' request. I can't say no to them, or to her, and I need you to understand that."
As always, I did. Because that's what a good girlfriend—a good mate—does.
To understand.
To agree.
To accept.
Deep down though, a gnawing unease took root. I had a feeling things would only get worse from here. That Edward was keeping something from me…
Something about Monette Hampton.
Needless to say, the more I thought about it, the more it struck me—how could she be his childhood friend when Edward had never once mentioned her before?
